Covid-19 Update for Essex FA Leagues (Tuesday 15th December 2020)

Following the UK Government announcement on Monday that London, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire will move into Tier 3 of Covid-19 restrictions from 12:01am on Wednesday 16th December 2020, we wanted to update you on how this affects football within our county.

The Essex local authorities moving into Tier 3 are: Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castle Point, Chelmsford, Epping Forest, Harlow, Maldon, Rochford, Southend and Thurrock. Colchester, Uttlesford and Tendring will remain in Tier 2. The five London boroughs covered by the Essex County FA – Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest – move into Tier 3, but are treated as a separate local restriction area within London.

Organised outdoor football activity is permitted in the grassroots game across all three tiers, but it is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers, and facility providers continue to strictly follow both the Government’s latest guidance on Covid-19 and respective bespoke guidance documents from The FA.

In all three tiers there are exceptions for indoor disability football, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under 18s, which can take place with larger groups mixing. Training for teams in Tier 3 must have minimal contact.

Travel

Adults can travel to play grassroots football in between Tier 1 and Tier 2. However, adults cannot travel in and out of Tier 3 areas to play grassroots football. There are exemptions for travel in and out of Tier 3 areas for under 18s, disability teams, volunteers, elite players and for those travelling for work.

In adult football, you should not travel between neighbouring Tier 3 areas, even if they share a border. Each Tier 3 area is seen as separate, they are not one continuous area. The relevant list of local restriction tiers by area can be located on the Government website for clarity.

To assist you, please find attached a list of teams participating in your league, together with their ground name, postcode and local authority provided to Essex FA at the time of affiliation. If you would also like a spreadsheet detailing the postcodes of registered players within your league, this can also be provided upon request to assist with fixture scheduling.

Spectators

Regional National League System Feeder Leagues, Tier 7 of the Women’s Football Pyramid and outdoor grassroots football remain permitted to accommodate socially-distanced spectators but must follow the rule of six and Government guidance on restrictions in certain tiers.

All clubs are required to have a designated Covid-19 officer; complete and publish bespoke risk assessments and action plans; and continue to support Test and Trace efforts. We encourage leagues to have ongoing liaison with member clubs in regard to their ability to fulfil fixtures.

The Essex County FA continues to encourage everyone to strictly follow the UK Government’s national Covid-19 restrictions. Any incidents of non-compliance should be reported to the Essex County FA and will be logged ahead of work with the relevant organisations to ensure adherence to the guidelines.

The Essex County FA would like to thank the football community once again for their hard work, resilience and understanding during such an incredibly challenging period for both the game and wider society. Guidance documents and ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ can be accessed via the dedicated Coronavirus Update page on our website.

If you have any further queries on this matter, please continue to contact the relevant member of staff within our Governance, Development, Coach Education, Refereeing or Safeguarding teams.

Best wishes and stay safe!

Robert Craven Governance Administrator(Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend & Thurrock) Essex County Football Association The County Office | Springfield Lyons Approach |Chelmsford | Essex | CM2 5LB T:    01245 393082 E:    robert.craven@essexfa.com W:  www.essexfa.com Incorporated in Cardiff | No. 3843186